sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation for the acute treatment of cluster headache

Conditions: Chronic Cluster Headache

Summary: the purpose of the proposed clinical study is to evaluate the use of an implanted neurostimulator to provide sphenopalatine ganglion (spg) stimulation for the management of the pain associated with cluster headaches.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age from 18 to 65 years old (inclusive). * subject has been diagnosed with chronic cluster headache according to the 2004 international headache society (ihs) criteria 3.1.2. * subject reports a minimum of 4 cluster headaches per week. * subject reports dissatisfaction with current cluster headache treatment (criterion includes both preventive or abortive therapy per the investigator's standard of care. reasons for dissatisfaction with existing headache therapies may include failure of therapies, contraindication, side effects of therapies, or patient refusal of available therapies) * subject is able to distinguish cluster headaches from other headaches (i.e., tension-type headaches). * subject has the ability to read and comprehend, and to reliably record information as required by the protocol. * subject is able to provide written informed consent prior to participation in the study. exclusion criteria: * subject has had a change in type or dosage of prophylactic headache medications \< one (1) month prior to study enrollment * subject has undergone facial surgery in the area of the pterygopalatine fossa or zygomaticomaxillary buttress ipsilateral to the planned implant site within the last four (4) months. * subject has active oral or dental abscess. * subject has been treated with radiation to the facial region within the last six (6) months. * subject has been diagnosed with any major infectious processes such as osteomyelitis, or primary or secondary malignancies involving the face that have been active or required treatment in the past six (6) months. * subject has other significant pain problem that might confound the study assessments in the opinion of the investigator. * subject is a woman of childbearing age who is pregnant, nursing, or not using contraception. * subject is currently participating or has participated in the last month in another clinical study in which the subject has, is, or will be exposed to an investigational or non-investigational drug or device. * subject is felt to be at risk of non-compliance (e.g., for completing the diary or maintaining a stable headache medicine regimen) in the investigator's opinion. * subject has had previous lesional radio-frequency ablation of the ipsilateral sphenopalatine ganglion (spg). * subject has had blocks of the ipsilateral spg in the last three (3) months. * subject has undergone botulinum toxin injections of the head and/or neck in the last three (3) months. * subject has or requires a pacemaker/defibrillator or other implantable device having a sense amplifier. * subject has a history of bleeding disorders or coagulopathy or is unable to discontinue anticoagulation, antiplatelet, or gp iib iiia inhibitor medication in preparation for the implantation procedure. * subject is not suitable for the study for any reason in the judgment of the investigator.

Keywords: chronic cluster headache